Editor’s Note: The following is a repost from respected educator Katrin Eismann from her Facebook page. I have personally known her for many years and know that she is a top professional and a straight talker. Ms. Eismann posted today about her visit to B&H. You can find the story and subsequent comments here.
There have been many comments and people making strong statements in both directions on the state of things at the store’s warehouse. I have personally visited the store and it’s offices and have not found the things that others have claimed. Katrin took it upon herself to visit the warehouse.
I have asked Katrin Eismann permission to re-share with you.
Her response was “Sure. It is public. Please note I am not a journalist or labor relations expert…just showing what I saw and heard.”
I choose to publish this as it is important to see multiple sides of a story. — Rich Harrington
Katrin Eismann’s Facebook Post
Recently B&H Photo has been in the news with OSHA and Labor Relations allegations and lawsuits. I was able to visit the NY Manhattan Warehouse that serves the store at 34th & 9th and go wherever I wanted to with a camera for almost two hours. Here is what I found and better said did not find – segregated or non-functioning bathrooms, hazardous working environment, and lack of diversity. I found the same quality and cleanliness of bathrooms that customers use (with the exact same tiles!), locker rooms, break rooms with free coffee (little jealous) and complete diversity of employees taking breaks at the same time, free English classes, and a number of notices about vacation and holiday schedules. Please note I am not an OSHA inspector or a reporter – but for those of you that have said they will never shop at B&H again due to these allegations – you can go back! FYI: I hope to visit the Brooklyn warehouses completely unannounced in the coming weeks.
Editor’s Note: We will accept comments on this post… but they will be moderated. Please use this space for intelligent conversation and not rhetoric. There are also many useful comments over on Katrin’s original post you may want to read.
Manhattan warehouse is just fine. The problems have been with the BROOKLYN warehouse!
the recent [false] claims were on the store warehouse
Segregated bathrooms? Really? On the very face of it… ridiculous. And who the hell takes valuable NYC warehouse space and wastes it by converting it to an *extra* two (Mens & Ladies) bathrooms? Further, who would allow this wasted 200-400 square feet of bathrooms to stink up the place by leaving them unclean or non-functioning? B&H is my go to store for all things photographic and I have never had an order fouled up in any way. Top notch management.
The article I read recently discussed conditions at the Brooklyn warehouse, not Manhattan. I will be interested in the results of the author’s visit to that location. I like B&H and am hoping the allegation against them are disproved.
I have been there a couple times. they have the same great working invirament.
Thank you for your thoughtful research into this topic, it seemed odd to me that an establishment, like B&H would do such a thing.
I hope it is not true and while I know our government is not perfect, they generally don’t just sue businesses and make claims of discrimination for sport. Hopefully this time they were wrong because I have enjoyed my experiences with B&H.
This has been happening at the Brooklyn warehouse locations. I suggest looking there instead.
Segregated bathrooms? Really? On the very face of it… ridiculous. And who the hell takes valuable NYC warehouse space and wastes it by converting it to an *extra* two (Mens & Ladies) bathrooms? Further, who would allow this wasted 200-400 square feet of bathrooms to stink up the place by leaving them unclean or non-functioning? B&H is my go to store for all things photographic and I have never had an order fouled up in any way. Top notch management.
This has been happening at the Brooklyn warehouse locations. I suggest looking there instead.
Thank you for your thoughtful research into this topic, it seemed odd to me that an establishment, like B&H would do such a thing.
Manhattan warehouse is just fine. The problems have been with the BROOKLYN warehouse!
the recent [false] claims were on the store warehouse
The article I read recently discussed conditions at the Brooklyn warehouse, not Manhattan. I will be interested in the results of the author’s visit to that location. I like B&H and am hoping the allegation against them are disproved.
I have been there a couple times. they have the same great working invirament.
I hope it is not true and while I know our government is not perfect, they generally don’t just sue businesses and make claims of discrimination for sport. Hopefully this time they were wrong because I have enjoyed my experiences with B&H.